MOST UTAHNS CALL ADDICTION DISEASE

Utahns not only believe overwhelmingly that drug addiction is a disease,
they think it's a public health problem, not a law enforcement problem, and
should be given substantial amounts of public funds to deal with it.

Those are the key findings of what is likely the most comprehensive survey
ever on drug abuse in Utah. Results released Monday from a January
telephone survey, sponsored by The Edward G. Callister Foundation, show
widespread concern about drug addiction and consistent support across the
population for doing something about it.

The study showed the attitudes were shared by people in all political
preferences, age groups, religious preferences, urban-rural areas, income
levels and other demographic categories.

One of the most surprising results is that 64 percent agree that addictive
disease "is a chronic disease, and like diabetes, it can be managed but not
cured over a lifetime."

And contrary to the policies of most insurance companies, 74 percent of
Utah residents believe treatment for alcohol and drug abuse should be
covered by health insurance. However, 59 percent think that drug or alcohol
misuse is definitely or probably a sufficient reason to be terminated from
a job.

Ellen Callister, president of the foundation, said the survey shows
interest in the problem is almost universal. "Unsolicited comments from
respondents stretch to 66 typewritten pages. The public is anxious to find
effective solutions."

The statewide survey, which has an error margin of 3 percent, was conducted
by Dan Jones & Associates, who interviewed 1,006 Utahns between Dec. 26 and
Jan. 4 during evening hours. Each interview lasted 20 to 30 minutes.

Jones said respondents were unusually interested in the subject. Fewer than
1 percent of contacts terminated the interview before it was completed,
Jones said, noting that the usual termination response is much higher than
that, even on shorter surveys.

The Advocates for Improved Understanding of Addiction Disease, a volunteer
committee of prominent Utahns interested in raising awareness and
understanding about the nature of addictive disease, requested the survey.

Lou Callister, co-chair of the committee, said he was somewhat surprised,
but mostly gratified that the general public believes the issue is
important. "Most telling, is the public wants a solution," he said. "This
information will go a long way to find that."

Pat Flemming, executive director of the state Office of Substance Abuse,
said he isn't surprised. "Everywhere I go people tell me they realize
addiction is a disease. This shows that the notion that we need to provide
treatment is beginning to crystallize."